Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 31
Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Wrath, the Assault on Vedic Culture, and the Boy-Yamarāja’s Teaching on the Soul
विशीर्णरत्नकवचं विभ्रष्टाभरणस्रजम् । शरनिर्भिन्नहृदयं शयानमसृगाविलम् ॥ २९ ॥ प्रकीर्णकेशं ध्वस्ताक्षं रभसा दष्टदच्छदम् । रज:कुण्ठमुखाम्भोजं छिन्नायुधभुजं मृधे ॥ ३० ॥ उशीनरेन्द्रं विधिना तथा कृतं पतिं महिष्य: प्रसमीक्ष्य दु:खिता: । हता: स्म नाथेति करैरुरो भृशं घ्नन्त्यो मुहुस्तत्पदयोरुपापतन् ॥ ३१ ॥
viśīrṇa-ratna-kavacaṁ vibhraṣṭābharaṇa-srajam śara-nirbhinna-hṛdayaṁ śayānam asṛg-āvilam
Son armure d’or sertie de joyaux était brisée; ornements et guirlandes avaient glissé. Le cœur transpercé par les flèches ennemies, le corps maculé de sang, les cheveux épars et le regard éteint, le roi gisait sur le champ de bataille. Voulant manifester sa vaillance, il s’était mordu les lèvres; son visage pareil au lotus s’était noirci sous la poussière, et ses bras armés étaient tranchés et brisés. Voyant le roi d’Uśīnara ainsi étendu, les reines, accablées, gémirent : «Notre seigneur est tué, nous sommes tuées nous aussi !»; répétant ces mots, elles se frappèrent la poitrine et tombèrent aux pieds du défunt.
As stated here, rabhasā daṣṭa-dacchadam: the dead King, while fighting in anger, bit his lips to show his prowess, but nonetheless he was killed by providence ( vidhinā ). This proves that we are controlled by higher authorities; our personal power or endeavor is not always supreme. We must therefore accept the position offered to us by the order of the Supreme.
FAQs
It vividly depicts him lying slain in battle—armor shattered, ornaments fallen, heart pierced by arrows, and his body stained with blood.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī narrates these events to Mahārāja Parīkṣit.
Worldly glory—status, adornments, and power—can vanish instantly; therefore one should cultivate lasting spiritual purpose and devotion.